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Over the years, it has been repeated that it is worth “bringing all your self to work.” In theory it sounds beautiful. In practice, it does not always work.
Just look at the outfit:
“If you love tight leather clothes, it doesn't mean that everyone will like it in the office,” says Margie Warrell, leadership expert and author of The Courage Gap.
“It just doesn't fall out,” he adds.
Read also: The company's lack of loyalty got into problems. Nobody wants to replace old presidents
The concept of “whole self” is an example of a slogan that was supposed to lead us through professional life, but over time it began to lose sense. Here are five outdated tips of this type and suggestions, what to replace them.
Realize passions
Combining work with what you love seems tempting. But the belief that you have to “find a passion” may also be a misleading.
“This is an extremely imprecise council,” says Jochnen Menges, a professor of human resource management and leadership at the University of Zurich.
In an interview with Business Insider, he explains that it is better to set emotional goals, for example, strive for a sense of pride from the work performed. Of course, this will not be achieved every day, but it is this direction that makes sense.
– When I adapt my emotional needs to what I do and when I see my future, my professional situation improves significantly – he says. And this in turn accelerates career development – he adds.
Climb the career ladder
You can only go up or down on the ladder.
– Today this model does not match the reality of many employees – notes Christian Tröster, a researcher at the Academy of Management and a leadership professor at Kühne Logistics University in Germany.
Instead of climbing the rungs, it's better to think about a career like a form that can be freely shaped. Tröster calls it a “proteus career”.
– The ultimate goal is not promotion, but the feeling that what you do, makes sense and gives satisfaction – he emphasizes.
There is also a practical reason not to press up. Today, many companies focus on “flattening” of structures and eliminate middle -level managerial positions. Ambitious employees are simply lacking in levels.
“The career ceased to be linear,” says Warrell. More and more people are choosing to move to side, additional activity or so -called A portfolio career, i.e. combining several classes that together create a full time and give more freedom.
According to Warrell, it is those who pave the paths themselves are more fulfilled in the long run and are more successful than those who cling to the hierarchy.
Don't change your job too often
Not so long ago it was advised not to change work before the end of the year. Because it looks bad. Because it testifies to the lack of loyalty.
Today this view is losing its relevance.
“Fear of frequent changes in positions is not so strong,” Warrell notes.
He points out that if subsequent movements are thought out and show development, more responsibilities, new skills, they work in favor, not damage.
– Such changes are increasingly perceived as a sign of ambition and flexibility – not instability – he says.
Focus on technical skills
Technical proficiency – especially in areas such as artificial intelligence – can open many doors. But it is not the only path to success.
AI is already performing part of the work of programmers. Marc Benioff, president of Salesforce, even admitted that in 2025 the company can give up employing software engineers, because AI agents are already effective enough.
Meanwhile, more and more employers declare that they are looking for candidates with developed soft skills, such as communication, cooperation, empathy.
“We still need people who will assess the effects of artificial intelligence,” says Menges.
– Emotions are necessary for this. In the 20th century, they were ordered to leave behind the office door. Today they are becoming a compass – he adds.
Bring your whole “I” to work
The idea to be yourself at work – with yourself – sounds good. But in practice it can be troublesome.
There are plenty of leaders who approach her from a distance, from Sundar Pichaia from Google, to the investor of Marc Andreesen.
Ella F. Washington, a lecturer at Georgetown University, told Business Insider that it is better to bring “all professional me” to work.
What does it mean? Even the fact that sometimes you have to put aside your views, cooperate with people that you don't like, or – as Warrell adds – just stop your emotions for yourself.
– If the part of your “I” is morning foche and cut retorts, leave it better at home – he says.
The article is a translation with American Business Insider edition.
